Using virtual reality for forensic examinations of injuries

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Digital Imaging
• Virtual Reality

Background:

• Accurate injury dimension determination is crucial in forensic documentation.
• Standard 2D photography has limitations in capturing 3D injury details.
• 3D photogrammetry offers a more precise method for documenting injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of injury measurements in virtual reality (VR).
• To compare VR measurements against standard 2D forensic photography and 3D photogrammetry on screens.
• To assess the utility of 3D models for forensic injury analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3D photogrammetry model created from multiple photographs of a mannequin with known injury dimensions.
• Measured injury dimensions within the 3D model using virtual reality (VR) visualization.
• Compared VR measurement accuracy to measurements from standard 2D forensic photographs and 3D photogrammetry on computer screens.

Main Results:

• Measurements in VR were more accurate than those from standard 2D forensic photo documentation.
• VR measurements were slightly less accurate than 3D photogrammetric measurements performed on a computer screen.
• Both 3D photogrammetry and VR tools enable accurate size measurements of forensic injuries.

Conclusions:

• 3D photogrammetry and VR tools enhance the accuracy of forensic injury measurements.
• 3D models provide a better understanding and review of injuries, even post-healing.
• These advanced visualization techniques address the information loss inherent in 2D photography.